One-Day Hike to the Summit of the Three Gorges from Chongqing – Yes, It’s Possible!

You’ve heard of the Three Gorges.But you think it takes days on a cruise ship to see them.

Wrong.

Thanks to China’s high-speed rail, you can leave Chongqing at sunrise, hike to the top of the Three Gorges (Sānxiá Zhī Diān, 三峡之巅), and be back in Chongqing by midnight—all in one day.

the top of the Three Gorges

I’ve done this hike four times.Once with a Swedish photographer, once with a Canadian couple, and twice solo.All of us took the train—not a boat.

（One-day hike to Three Gorges summit from Chongqing for foreign tourists）

This guide gives you:

✅ Exact high-speed train times (Chongqing ↔ Fengjie)

✅ Which trail to pick (1-hour stroll or 6.5-hour epic?)

✅ How to skip the cruise trap and see the real Three Gorges

No tours. No boats. Just boots, views, and speed.

Why Skip the Cruise? Take the Train Instead

Cruises take 3–4 days and cost $300+.You see the gorges from far away, through crowds and windows.

But the Summit of the Three Gorges (Sānxiá Zhī Diān)?It’s 1,388 meters above the Yangtze River.You stand right above Kuimen (Kuí Mén, 夔门)—the “most majestic gate in the world.”

A Brazilian friend wasted $400 on a cruise.He saw fog.I hiked the same week—clear skies, golden cliffs, zero crowds.

Trust me:The train + hike combo is faster, cheaper, and more rewarding.

the top of the Three Gorges

Step-by-Step: One-Day Itinerary from Chongqing

Morning: Chongqing → Fengjie by High-Speed Train

• Train: Chongqing North Station (Chóngqìng Běi Zhàn) → Fengjie Station (Fèngjié Zhàn)

• Fastest train: G3583

  • Departure: 6:32 a.m.

  • Arrival: 9:08 a.m.

  • Duration: 2 hours 36 minutes

  • Price: ¥159 (2nd class)

• Last return train: G3586

  • Departure: 8:33 p.m. from Fengjie

  • Arrival: 11:09 p.m. in Chongqing

  • Don’t miss this! No later trains.

At Fengjie Station:

• Take the free shuttle bus (8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., every 30 mins)

• Ride to “Aokou Entrance (Àokǒu Rùkǒu, 坳口入口)”—25 minutes

• Cost: Free with same-day park reservation

the Three Gorges

Choose Your Trail: 4 Options for Every Fitness Level

Option 1: Easy Loop (1 hour, family-friendly)

• Start: Baodi City (Báidì Chéng, 白帝城) entrance

• Route: Ferry → Gu Xiang Museum → Lock River Iron Pillar → Laoguan Temple → Chi Jia Tower → Danqing Cliff → Aokou Village

• Highlights:

  • See monkeys at Chi Jia Tower (Chìjiǎ Lóu, 赤甲楼)

  • Film location of classic Chinese movie When the Maple Leaves Turn Red

  • Eat fresh cherries or loquats at village farm (seasonal)

• Best for: First-timers, kids, light walkers

Option 2: South Bank Mini-Hike (3 hours, no ticket needed)

• Start: Shizibao, Yongle Town (Yǒnglè Zhèn Shīzibāo, 永乐镇狮子包)

• Route: Jigong Ridge → Chicken Bone Ridge → Chuanyin Cave → Qianteng Rock → Matwang Corner → Ferry to Baota Ping

• Cost: Only ¥50 ferry ticket—no park entry fee!

• Perk: Walk through natural caves, see untouched cliffs

• Tip: Arrange pickup at Baota Ping Dock (Bǎotǎ Píng Mǎtóu, 宝塔坪码头)

Option 3: Deep Hike (5 hours, for experienced hikers)

• Route: Shizibao → Tianmen Bolt → Wild Ox Bay → Rhino Gazing at Moon Peak

• View: Yangtze River U-bend from 1,200m up

• Warning: Some narrow cliff paths—not for vertigo sufferers

Option 4: Summit Challenge (6.5 hours, expert only)

• Route: Aokou → Guanlong Pavilion → Xiejia Ridge → Yilong Trough → Summit (1,388m)

• Must-pass: “Kamen (Kǎ Mén, 卡门)”—a 60cm-wide rock gap

• Gear needed:

  • Non-slip hiking shoes

  • 2L water minimum

  • Energy bars or congee cups

• Reward: 360° view of Kuimen, Yangtze, and red cliffs

When to Go & What to Avoid

Best Seasons:

• April–May: Wildflowers bloom. Temp: 15–25°C.

• November–December: Red leaves everywhere—peak photo season.

Avoid:

• July–August: Heavy rain → landslides → trail closures

• January–February: Fog + ice → slippery paths, poor views

Pro Tip:Check Fengjie Weather the night before.If it’s cloudy in Chongqing, it’s worse at 1,388m.

Tickets, Transport & Safety Tips

Booking:

• Reserve online 1–3 days ahead via “Fengjie Tourism” WeChat mini-program

• Daily limit: 13,000 visitors

• Foreign passport accepted—just show it at entrance

Costs:

• Easy trail: ¥100 (includes Baodi City + ferry)

• Other trails: Free entry—only pay for ferry (¥50) or shuttle (¥20)

Phone Signal:

• Good on ridges

• Weak in Yilong Trough (Yǐlóng Cáo, 隐龙槽)—download offline map before hiking

Emergency Help:

• Blue Sky Rescue Team on duty during holidays

• First aid at Aokou and Heishi Beach (Hēishí Tān, 黑石滩)

Real Stories from Foreign Hikers

“I thought I needed a cruise. But this hike gave me closer, clearer views—and I saved $350!”— Katarina, Serbia

“The 6.5-hour trail was tough. But standing at 1,388m, watching the Yangtze carve through cliffs… unreal.”— Andrew, Romania

“We took the 9 a.m. train, hiked the 3-hour loop, and were back in Chongqing by 11 p.m. Perfect day trip.”— Natalia, Bulgaria

Want More? Grab the “Chongqing World Heritage Guide”

Loved the Three Gorges?Now explore Chongqing’s UNESCO sites:

• Dazu Rock Carvings (Dàzú Shíkè, 大足石刻)—1,000-year-old Buddhist statues

• Wulong Karst (Wǔlóng Kāsītè, 武隆喀斯特)—natural bridges & caves

• Nanchuan Karst (Nánchuān Kāsītè, 南川喀斯特)—pristine forests

Chongqing An 144-Hour Adventure Through World Heritage Sites

$9.99

Buy Now

Our 118-page guide includes:

✅ Exact train/bus times from Chongqing

✅ Skip-the-line tickets with English instructions

✅ Local food stops—no tourist traps

✅ 144-hour visa-free itinerary

✅ Offline maps + phrase cards

Only $9.99—less than a hot pot meal!

Download now and hike smarter!